Media Appliance and Method for Use of Same

ABSTRACT

A media appliance and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a housing is adapted to be mounted within a wall. A panel forms a front portion of the housing and the panel includes vents and the panel may be mounted substantially flush with the wall. A media player, which includes a set-top box, is disposed within the housing. A pair of ports, disposed within openings defined by the housing, are configured to receive respective optio-electric connectors. Each port includes optio-electrically conductive elements. The pair of ports are coupled to the media player and one port is configured for providing a connection to a television and the other port is configured for providing a connection to an external source of signal for the television.

PRIORITY STATEMENT & CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 61/364,997, entitled “Media Appliance and Method for Use of Same”and filed on Jul. 16, 2010, in the names of Ogle et al.; which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to media players and, in particular,to media appliances and consumer electronics devices that are capable ofstoring and playing digital media in a confined form factor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The traditional form factors for media players such as set top boxes andaudio systems, dictate sleek and stylish rectangular shaped units thatare able to be placed on cabinet shelves or inside of entertainmentcabinets. With today's flat screen televisions designed for wall mount,entertainment cabinets are no longer required for the TV set. This, inturn, raises issues regarding the placement of traditional mediaplayers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to achieve media appliances and consumerelectronics devices that are capable of storing and playing digitalmedia in a confined form factor. It would also be desirable to enable anelectro-mechanical solution that would provide a preferential placementfor a traditional media player, while recognizing the wall mount-basedplacement of today's flat screen televisions. To better address one ormore of these concerns, a media appliance and method for use of the sameare disclosed that are capable of storing and playing digital media aswell as providing set top box functionality. In one embodiment, a mediaappliance includes a housing adapted to be mounted within a wall. Apanel, including vents, forms a front portion of the housing tosubstantially mount flush with the wall. Mounting holes are located inthe panel to accept screws to secure the housing within the wall. Amedia player having a set-top box functionality is disposed within thehousing. Ports provide optio-electrical (e.g., electrical, optical orboth) connectors for connecting a television to an external source ofsignal for the television.

The media appliance provides a media infrastructure that can be built aspart of a house, hotel or a commercial building, for example, to furnishbroadband and local connectivity, processing of the media streams andpresenting the sound and picture ready to be viewed and listened fromany television set. The traditional form factors for media players suchas set top boxes, audio systems, and media players are designed withstylish rectangular shaped units to be place on cabinet shelves orinside of entertainment cabinets. With today's flat screen televisionsdesigned for wall mount, entertainment cabinets are no longer requiredfor the television set.

In one implementation, the media appliance is integrated into wall mountJ boxes for an in wall solution. The media appliances or devices can bebuilt in the wall and behind the wall mount flat panel television. Thisconcept may further enhance the appearance of wall mount styletelevisions and have no visible external devices and wires. The mediaappliance may include various built-in media players, such as IP set-topboxes, cable set top boxes, streaming audio players, automationcontrollers, and Internet gateways, for example. These and other aspectsof the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference tothe embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the mediaappliance presented herein mounted to a wall;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the media appliance presented inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the media appliance presented in FIG.1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a housing associated with themedia appliance presented in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is schematic representation of one embodiment of the mediaappliance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, therein is depicted a media appliancethat is illustrated and generally designated 10. The media appliance 10is mounted within a wall 12 and includes a housing 14, which, as shown,is a utility box 16 having an open end 18 and four side walls 20, 22,24, 26 as well as a rear wall 28, which is opposite the open end 18. Apanel 30, which is configured to substantially mount flush with the wall12, mates with the open end 18 of the utility box 16 to form a frontportion of the housing 14. As shown, the panel 30 includes vents and, inparticular, vents 32, 34, 36, 38. Although, it should be appreciatedthat any configuration of vents may be utilized.

A plurality of mounting holes are located in the panel 30 to acceptfasteners, such as screws, which are driven into corresponding mountingholes at an edge of the open end 18 of the utility box 16. In theillustrated embodiment, four mounting holes 40, 42, 44, 46 and fourrespective screws 48, 50, 52, 54 are employed to secure the panel 30.Similarly, the utility box 16 may include wall mounting holes andcorresponding fasteners and brackets for securing the media appliance 10within the wall 12. As shown, the utility box 16 includes fasteners 56,58, 60, 62 for mating with mounting holes 64, 66, 68, 70 at flange 72which extends from the open end 18 of the utility box 16.

Ports, disposed within respective openings defined by the housing,receive respective optio-electric connectors, which may be optical orelectrical, for example, that include optio-electrically conductiveelements. The ports are configured to provide a connection to externalaudio-visual devices, such as televisions, and external sources ofsignal for the external audio-visual devices, such as coaxial cable,fiber, ethernet, USB devices, etc. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the ports and associated optio-electric connectors mayinclude RJ45, serial, IR Input, service/control, USB, video, ethernet,L/R audio cable, and digital audio optical. As shown, in oneimplementation, the panel 30 includes openings 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86,88 for corresponding ports 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, whichfurther correspond to the respective following optio-electricconnectors: video output (HDMI-HDCP), video input (HDMI-HDCP), videoinput (HDMI-HDCP), ethernet, display control (ethernet), digital audio,left audio output, and right audio output. With respect to the rear wall28, openings 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 for corresponding ports 122, 124,126, 128, 130 which further correspond to the respective followingoptio-electric connectors: power, ethernet, ethernet, RJ45, and coxialcable. It should be appreciated that although one architecture ofopenings, ports, and optio-electric connectors is depicted, the locationand types of openings, ports, and optio-electric connectors may varywith the teachings presented herein and FIGS. 1-4 present only anon-limiting example. As described, each port includes a plurality ofoptio-electrically conductive elements for coupling to the circuitboard. The optio-electrically conductive elements couple an externalsource of signal to the circuit board and processor 150 or couple anexternal audio-visual device, such as a television or music player, tothe processor 150. As depicted, all output sources are located on thepanel 30 and input sources are located on the panel 30 and in theutility box 16, whether a side wall 20, 22, 24, 26 or a rear wall 28, asshown.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a media appliance 10, whichincludes set-top box functionality and/or media player functionality, isdepicted. As shown, the media set-top/back box and media playerfunctionalities are embodied on a processor 150 and memory 152 havingprocessor-executable instructions stored thereon, for example. Theset-top box functionality provides for turning a received signal intocontent which is then displayed on the television screen or otherdisplay device, as well as hotel gateway and menu services andvideo-on-demand, for example. The media player functionality mayrepresent any type of consumer electronics device that is capable ofstoring and playing digital media or permitting digital media to passtherethrough.

In one implementation, storage 154 provides local audio and video filesto the processor 150 or other hardware/software/firmware configuration.The media appliance 10 operates under the power of a power supply 156,which may convert the wall power provided by a source via port 122 to anacceptable voltage for powering circuitry. Alternatively, power overethernet via port 124, 126 may be utilized eliminating the need for port122. Port 128 provides an input signal to the media player and the mediaengine by way of an RF front end circuit portion 158, which may, forexample, processes signals from coaxial cable. As mentioned, ports 124,126 provide the ethernet interface to the media engine. As shown, allports 122, 124, 126, 128, 130 are coupled to the processor, which maymore generally be a circuit board.

A control interface 160 between the processor 150 and the television,for example, utilizes port 106 to provide control and interface with VODsystems, if required. It should be appreciated that VOD may require anadditional or separate port in some instances. As discussed previously,ports 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 108, 110, which further correspond to therespective following optio-electric connectors: video output(HDMI-HDCP), video input (HDMI-HDCP), video input (HDMI-HDCP), ethernet,digital audio, left audio output, and right audio output. Although thereare no LEDs for user indicators, as the in-wall unit will not be visibleto the user in many instances, in implementations where a portion of thein-wall unit is visible or for another reason, LED indicators may beprovided. Further a transceiver may be provided for wirelesscommunication with the media appliance 10. With the in-wallconfiguration, control of the media appliance 10 may be achieved throughthe television and a graphical user interface and/or television remotecontroller. It should further be appreciated, that although oneparticular architecture is depicted in FIG. 5, other architectures arewithin the teachings presented herein.

In operation, the media appliance therefore accommodates electricalwiring for television and media systems that require numerous cables toconnected between the media appliance (Cable STB, Satellite STB, gameconsole, IP streaming player, computer, DVD, Blueray, etc) and displaydevice, such as television. In the current environment, set-top boxescannot set on top of the display device, and if the display is wallmounted, a significant number of cables are routed to the back of thedisplay, either with construction costs for hiding cables, or with thecables visible. The media appliance may be located in the same room, orin a different location in a dwelling. In these environments, theconstruction provides only cosmetic treatment of a traditional cablesolution between two devices.

A system and method are provided for the media appliance to be locatedbehind the display device, and incorporated into the infrastructure ofthe facility. The media appliance incorporates in-wall components thatprovide the media generation, or receiving bridge from otherbroadcasting/transmitting devices to the in-wall media appliance ordevice. Moreover the media appliance provides user accessible inputs andoutputs for connection to the display device or other media sourcesconnecting into the media appliance. In addition, the in-wall mediaappliance can provide integrated display control that allows theinfrastructure approach to connect and control the display device in asingle integrated solution.

As shown, the wall appliance is designed to be hidden from the user.These units will utilize the television screen for the user to controland navigate the player's function. A tight integration with thetelevision set is required so that the users can seamlessly move fromwatching TV, selecting set top sources, listening to music, controllingvarious automation and securities, and, browsing the internet throughthe set top box. The interfaces on these in wall media appliances mayinclude a control interface, an audio interface and a video interface.

The media appliance to TV control interface can be CEC or a simpleserial link such as RS232/422. HDMI is the preferred interface for audioand video. Analog video and audio interface can also be provided forease of integration with the TVs. In one embodiment, the solutionoutlined is conceived as a utility to address the convergence of media(video, audio, graphical data, control) and develop an integratedinfrastructure approach to bridge these media types of a display devicein a near-zero footprint device. It incorporates the integration ofvarious media appliances including the set-top box in a thin in-wallappliance. In both households and commercial environments, displays(TVs, Computer Monitors, other visual display devices) have been linkedto external devices and appliances (Set-Top-Box, PC, Notebook, DVDplayer, BluRay player, Internet devices) to generate video signals forcontent and connected media. These external devices require cabling forpower, audio, video, coax, ethernet and control to provide the necessaryvalue to the connected display device. The resulting effect is asituation whereby the display device is becoming thinner and potentiallywall mounted, yet the connected device is located in a differentlocation with cabling in between.

The media appliance provides a media infrastructure device that providesthe connectivity, processing and fully operational connected mediadevice, in an in-wall or flush-mount solution. The product can bemounted behind the wall-mounted display device, or as an infrastructurepanel near the display device, resulting in a zero or near zerofootprint device.

The media appliance or device may serve as an end-point media receiverfrom other devices connected, or as the complete stand-alone deviceproviding the media and content for the display device. Relatedapplications include in-wall media player, cable or satelliteset-top-box Ethernet and other media cable connected media device atpoint of distribution, device for monitors or displays for computing,digital signage or information signage. Thin, wall mounted displays ortelevisions for low profile mounting. In-wall connectivity panel foruser connected devices may include an in-wall casement, media player orother media generating device, video output connectors, receiving unitfor control (IR, RF, Bluetooth or other wireless control method), powersource, display control, cable, satellite, or IP set-top box, streamingaudio player, data and Internet connectors, and cover.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

1. A media appliance comprising: a housing adapted to be mounted withina wall, the housing including a utility box and a panel configured tomount thereto; the panel forming a front portion of the housing, thepanel including vents, the panel configured to substantially mount flushwith the wall; a plurality of mounting holes located in the panel, theplurality of mounting holes configured to accept fastners; mountingmeans for securing the utility box to the wall; a media player disposedwithin the housing, the media player including a set-top boxfunctionality; first and second ports, disposed within respective firstand second openings defined by the housing, for receiving respectiveoptio-electric connectors, each port including a plurality ofoptio-electrically conductive elements, the first and second ports beingcoupled to the media player; the first port configured for providing aconnection to a television; the second port configured for providing aconnection to an external source of signal for the television; a powerport disposed within a third opening defined by the housing, the powerport for receiving electrical power at the media player.
 2. The mediaappliance as recited in claim 1, wherein the optio-electric connectorsare selected from the group consisting of RJ45, serial, IR Input,service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audio cable, and digitalaudio optical.
 3. The media appliance as recited in claim 1, wherein themounting means further comprises fasteners.
 4. The media appliance asrecited in claim 1, wherein the mounting means further comprisesbrackets.
 5. The media appliance as recited in claim 1, furthercomprising a power indicator mounted in the panel and located incommunication with the media player.
 6. A media appliance comprising: ahousing adapted to be mounted within a wall, the housing including autility box and a panel configured to mount thereto; the panel forming afront portion of the housing, the panel including vents, the panelconfigured to substantially mount flush with the wall; fastening meansconfigured to secure the panel to the utility box; mounting means forsecuring the utility box to the wall; a circuit board secured within thehousing, the circuit board including a processor and a memory accessibleto the processor, the memory including processor-executable instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to execute set-top boxfunctionality; first and second ports, disposed within respective firstand second openings defined by the housing, for receiving respectiveoptio-electric connectors, each port including a plurality ofoptio-electrically conductive elements, the first and second ports beingcoupled to the circuit board; the first port configured for providing aconnection to a television, the first port being located on the utilitybox; the second port configured for providing a connection to anexternal source of signal for the television, the second port beinglocated on the panel; and a power port disposed within a third openingdefined by the housing within the utility box, the power port forreceiving electrical power at the circuit board.
 7. The media applianceas recited in claim 6, wherein the optio-electric connectors areselected from the group consisting of RJ45, serial, IR Input,service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audio cable, and digitalaudio optical.
 8. The media appliance as recited in claim 6, wherein themounting means comprises mounting holes and fasteners.
 9. A mediaappliance comprising: a housing adapted to be mounted within a wall, thehousing including a utility box and a panel configured to mount thereto;the panel forming a front portion of the housing, the panel includingvents, the panel configured to substantially mount flush with the wall;fastening means configured to secure the panel to the utility box;mounting means for securing the utility box to the wall; a circuit boardsecured within the housing, the circuit board including a processor anda memory accessible to the processor, the memory includingprocessor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to execute set-top box functionality and cause the processorto execute media player functionality; first and second ports, disposedwithin respective first and second openings defined by the housing, forreceiving respective optio-electric connectors, each port including aplurality of optio-electrically conductive elements, the first andsecond ports being coupled to the circuit board; the first portconfigured for providing a connection to a television, the first portbeing located on the utility box; the second port configured forproviding a connection to an external source of signal for thetelevision, the second port being located on the panel; third and fourthports, disposed within respective third and fourth openings defined bythe housing, for receiving respective optio-electric connectors, eachport including a plurality of optio-electrically conductive elements,the third and fourth ports being coupled to the circuit board; the thirdport configured for providing a connection to an external audio-visualdevice, the third port being located on the utility box; the fourth portconfigured for providing a connection to an external source of signalfor the external audio-visual device, the fourth port being located onthe panel; a fifth port, disposed within respective first and secondopenings defined by the housing, for receiving an optio-electricconnector, the fifth port including a plurality of optio-electricallyconductive elements, the fifth port being coupled to the circuit board;the fifth port configured for providing a connection to a deviceselected from the group consisting of the television and the externalaudio-visual device, the fifth port being located on the panel; and apower port disposed within a third opening defined by the housing withinthe utility box, the power port for receiving electrical power at thecircuit board.
 10. The media appliance as recited in claim 9, whereinthe optio-electric connectors are selected from the group consisting ofRJ45, serial, IR Input, service/control, USB, video, ethernet, L/R audiocable, and digital audio optical.